The Water Horse Blu-ray Review

"The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" makes a grand entrance into the Blu-ray arena, graced with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode framed at a cinematic 2.40:1 ratio that is as majestic as the story it unfolds. From the very beginning, viewers are enveloped in a visual experience that is as breathtaking as it is vibrant, thanks to an exceptional transfer that brings the stunning scenery of Scotland to life with remarkable clarity and richness of detail. The colors showcased throughout this film are precise and vivid, rendering everything from the lush greens of the Scottish highlands to the subtler hues of military attire with an impressive depth and intricacy that enhances the visual narrative.

Despite a handful of indoor scenes displaying minor softness, the overall quality of the image remains uncompromised, boasting excellent sharpness and definition that make even the smallest details discernible. This sharpness extends to the seamless blend of CGI and live-action elements, preserving the film's realism without succumbing to the common pitfalls of digital enhancement or motion blur. The transfer meticulously maintains natural flesh tones and excels in rendering black levels that add depth to every scene, ensuring that even during challenging low-light conditions, such as a nocturnal rainstorm, the visual integrity and brilliance of the film are steadfast.

Sony's presentation of "The Water Horse" sets a high standard for Blu-ray releases, balancing subdued, almost pastel-like color grading with dynamic contrast and spotless print quality. This approach not only respects the film's aesthetic but elevates it, avoiding over-saturation while ensuring each frame contributes to a cohesive and immersive viewing experience. The absence of artificial sharpening allows for a picture that is both detailed and naturally pleasing to the eye, confirming that this Blu-ray transfer is not just a triumph in technical execution but a true visual feast deserving of its place in any collection.

The audio presentation of "The Water Horse" on Blu-ray, featuring the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack, is a comprehensive auditory experience that showcases a significant detailed and dynamic range across its soundstage. Notably, the soundtrack remains active and engaging without ever losing clarity, ensuring that louder sequences maintain definition. The score by James Newton Howard is exemplary, filling the room with a clarity and attention to detail that sets a high bar for immersive sound experiences. Dialogue reproduction stands out for its excellence, with conversations remaining clear despite the authentic Scottish accents, eliminating the need for subtitles for comprehension. Surround sound is consistently present, delivering a balanced, natural level of sound rather than an overwhelming barrage, enhancing the film's more action-packed sequences without overdoing it.

Sound effects in "The Water Horse" are particularly noteworthy, from the realistic underwater sequences that convey a palpable sense of submersion to environmental sounds such as thunderstorms which encircle the listener with rain, thunder, and an all-too-real ambiance. The use of the subwoofer adds a robust depth to many scenes, creating a physical sensation that complements the on-screen action. Audio pans seamlessly across channels, with discreet effects creating a convincing and immersive environment that approaches a reference-quality experience. However, despite these strengths, there are moments when dialogue can become overshadowed by surrounding action or music, slightly marring an otherwise outstanding mix.

The Blu-ray offers multiple audio options, including English, French, and Portuguese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround (48kHz/24-bit), along with Spanish and Thai Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround at 448kbps, ensuring accessibility across language preferences. Even with minor dialogue clarity issues in quieter scenes or among certain accents, the overall mix celebrates a high level of craftsmanship. The surround sound mixing is especially commendable for its active and well-directed discrete effects and nearly seamless panning that adds an additional layer of immersion to an already captivating score and soundfield dynamics.

The Blu-ray release of "The Water Horse" offers a suite of extras that, while not as comprehensive as one might hope, delivers a decent behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the film. Despite the notable absence of a commentary track—which would have been a significant addition, especially insights from the effects team and cast—the included featurettes and additional content are presented in 1080i high definition, revealing the depth of work involved in bringing this story to life. The six featurettes, totaling 77 minutes, delve into various aspects of production, from the origins of the story, cast motivations, to the technical challenges of filming on location and creating the digital creature, Crusoe. The standout "Myths and Legends" featurette intriguingly touches upon the Loch Ness Monster folklore with contributions from notable figures like monster hunter Steve Feltham. The added Virtual Crusoe Game offers an interactive experience, allowing players to care for their Water Horse, complemented by eight deleted scenes and a selection of unrelated movie trailers. However, these bonus materials veer towards the promotional, missing an opportunity for deeper exploration or commentary on the film's creation and themes.

Extras included in this disc:

• Myths and Legends: A look into Loch Ness Monster folklore.
• The Story: Origins of "The Water Horse" story and film adaptation.
• The Characters: Insights into the cast's performance and character motivations.
• Setting the Scene: Challenges of filming in New Zealand's landscapes.
• Water Work: Creating the Water Horse: Behind-the-scenes on filming water scenes and digital creation.
• Creating Crusoe: Detailed exploration of how Crusoe was brought to life digitally.
• Virtual Crusoe Game: An interactive game simulating the care of a Water Horse.
• Deleted Scenes: Eight scenes offering additional moments not included in the final cut.
• Theatrical Trailers: Trailers for other films but notably lacking a trailer for "The Water Horse".

"The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" emerges as a remarkable and meticulously crafted piece of cinema, blending historical context with the enchantment of mythical storytelling. Set against the scenic backdrop of WWII Scotland, the film is an enthralling journey into the bond formed between a young boy, Angus (played with substantial depth by Alex Etel), and the mythical creature he discovers and names Crusoe. This narrative foundation permits a seamless fusion of real-world anxiety with the escapism of childhood wonder, a dichotomy that is seldom explored with such grace in family-centric films. Moreover, the seamless integration of well-observed family dynamics and the emotional void left by an absent father adds layers of complexity to an already compelling storyline, making "The Water Horse" not just a tale of fantasy, but also a rich tapestry of human emotion and resilience.

Technically, the film shines in its visual effects and creature design, raising the bar for how CGI can evoke profound emotional connectivity. The animation of Crusoe stands out, not merely for its technical prowess but for imbuing the Water Horse with a personality so vivid, it transcends the screen to tug directly at the viewers' heartstrings. The meticulous care in blending practical effects with computer-generated imagery ensures Crusoe's presence feels both otherworldly and intimately real. Alongside, the performances from a talented cast including Emily Watson and Ben Chaplin anchor the fantastical elements to a resonant human story, thus maintaining a credible balance between the extraordinary and the familiar.

In an era where Hollywood often struggles to deliver quality family entertainment, "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" distinguishes itself as a sleeper hit that defies expectations. Despite facing an uphill battle with marketing that arguably failed to ignite public interest, it stands as a testament to the enduring allure of stories that harmonize myth with reality, and spectacle with heartfelt emotion. The film's unique blend of historical context, superior character development, and groundbreaking visual effects contributes to its success as not only an engrossing tale for children but as a nuanced, engaging film that transcends age, making it a true classic in family cinema.

"The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" emerges as a compelling entry in the family film genre, having been overlooked by many at the time of its release. This Blu-ray presentation captivates with its seamless blend of fantasy and reality, delivering a narrative that is as enchanting as it is grounded. The film’s strength lies in its ability to weave a tale that feels both intimately familiar and excitingly novel, ensuring that the mythical elements enhance rather than overshadow the human story at its core. The technical proficiency of the Blu-ray complements this balance perfectly, with a video quality that impressively captures the visual splendor of the film and an audio experience that is exceptionally immersive, employing surrounds in a way that elevates the cinematic experience.

However, while the disc excels in audiovisual presentation, it falls marginally short in its offering of supplemental materials, an aspect that might leave enthusiasts wanting more. Despite this, both the film and its Blu-ray incarnation stand as exemplary contributions to their respective fields. The video transfer is crisp and vibrant, ensuring that the visual magic of the film is fully realized, while the audio track, though highlighted more in one review for its exceptional quality, distinctly brings the world of "The Water Horse" to life with its dynamic use of sound.

In conclusion, "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" Blu-ray is a must-have for aficionados of family cinema and collectors alike. It's a film that deserves a second look for its heartwarming story and technical excellence. Even though the additional content leaves room for improvement, the overall quality of the movie experience—bolstered by superior video and audio presentations—makes this Blu-ray a worthwhile addition to any collection. Highly recommended for those seeking to rediscover or newly discover a gem that blends familial themes with mystical adventure in a package that excels both narratively and technically.